The first contest of the World Boxing Super Series was the cruiserweight quarter-final between WBO World Champion Aleksandr Usyk and Marco Huck at the Max-Schmeling-Halle. Ukranian Usyk retained his WBO cruiserweight title and moved on to the next round of the Ali Trophy tournament by stopping German Huck in the 10th round. The Olympic gold medalist from London 2012 forced his German opponent backwards and dominated with his power throughout the fight which proved why the number one seed is the tournament’s favourite.
In addition, the Ukrainian got new fans all around the world with his charisma inside and outside the ring.

September 16, Liverpool

Smith-Skoglund, Ali Trophy super-middleweight quarter-final

Hometown hero Callum Smith claimed a hard-fought victory at the Echo Arena over Sweden’s Erik Skoglund to advance to the semi-finals. Smith dropped Skoglund to one knee in the 10th round and scored a unanimous 116-112, 117-110, 117-111 on the judges’ cards. Skoglund, the previously unbeaten Swede, threatened to cause an upset in the early stages of the contest, but Smith managed to ride out the storm.

September 23, San Antonio

Dorticos-Kudryashov, Ali Trophy cruiserweight quarter-final

With a combined 41 knockouts over 42 victories, Yunier Dorticos vs. Dmitry Kudryashov at the Alamodome promised an all-action fight. In a fight between two KO artists, Cuban Dorticos showed that he mastered his skill better than his Russian opponent. The WBA World Champion proved that he is a dangerous challenger for everyone in the tournament when a perfect right hand sent Kudryashov crashing to the canvas in round two. Kudryashov was counted out and Dorticos lived up to his nickname: ‘The KO Doctor’.

September 30, Riga

Briedis-Perez, Ali Trophy cruiserweight quarter-final

10.000 ecstatic fans at the Arena Riga got what the came for: A victory for their hero, WBC World Champion Mairis Briedis when beat Cuban Mike Perez (22-3, 14 KOs) by a 12 round unanimous decision in a very competitive fight.

The judges scored the fight 116-110, 115-111, and 114-112 and paved the way for an explosive quarterfinal: Usyk vs. Briedis!